(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Planners in Will County are in the very early stages of a project to reduce freight truck congestion between two major highways.
Heavy semi-trailer truck traffic has resulted in a number of complaints from people living in the area. The Will County Board has approved a preliminary study of a proposed "dedicated freight corridor" between I-57 and Route 394.
Nick Palmer, the board's chief of staff, said the corridor would include improved sections of existing roads along with construction of new roadways and bridges. He said the corridor would reduce the need for truck drivers to use local roads that are not designed for freight trucks, which has led to problems such as congestion, road damage, noise and poor air quality.
“Really, what they’re trying to do is keep some of these trucks off the local roads more. And so, if you have a designated route that’s adequate and effective, then, the truckers hopefully will take that, and then you can step up your enforcement if you choose to on the other roads where they maybe shouldn’t be, but sometimes sneak onto,” Palmer said.
Palmer said the "dedicated freight corridor" won't be built for several years, but he said the hope is to have it in place in time to accommodate the increase in freight traffic expected in northeastern Will County.
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